Elements constituting the offence of ‘Abetment of Suicide’ interpreted by SC

A Bench of Justice Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Misra said that the ‘extreme action’ of dying by suicide could be on account of a ‘greater disturbance’ leading to psychological imbalance. The Apex Court said that the offence of ‘abetment of suicide’ would amount only if the ‘direct and alarming encouragement or incitement’ left the person with no other option but to take the fatal step. The abetment of suicide is an offence under Section 108 of Bhartiya Nayaya Sanhita whose punishment is imprisonment up to 10 years if found guilty.